Abstract: An irrigation controller that is capable of making daily adjustment of irrigation duration based upon historical, environmental, and or received information. The irrigation controller can automatically skip days and make changes to account for daily and seasonal environmental changes. Such automatic determination is advantageous to minimize the need of the operator intervention to make seasonal change as well as providing irrigation savings, and ensures deep irrigation. The simplified user interface and control allows for a change made at any time of the year to effect the remainder of the year to provide the best balance of minimal or no user interface, irrigation conservation.

Abstract: A conveyance system in a semiconductor manufacturing process comprises a process unit processing a semiconductor wafer, a conveyer conveying the semiconductor wafer, a conveyer controller controlling the conveyer, and a computer controlling the conveyer and the conveyer controller. In the system, the process unit sends a warning signal to said computer, indicating time of the process completion in the process unit before the process is completed, and the conveyer is moved to the process unit in response to the warning signal.

Abstract: While reading and analyzing embroidery data for sewing, when an X-direction moving amount and a Y-direction moving amount are at most predetermined small amounts and seam stop data indicating a finish stitch-concentrated portion where embroidery operation is repeated over three stitches for a seam stop, is detected, an X-direction moving amount of a second one of finish stitch data is changed, the X-direction moving amount of a third one of the finish stitch data is changed, and finish stitch concentration of the seam stop is resolved by dispersing finish stitch positions. As a result, not only cutting of thread and swelling of a seam can be prevented but also a thread tightening operation can sufficiently be carried out by reducing moving distance of embroidery thread during thread tightening.

Abstract: A part identification system for non-intrusively identifying a subset of parts cut from a sheet material. The part identification system includes a visual signal generator for projecting an identifying image associated with a given subset of cut parts. A labelling program accesses a database, generates a control signal including the part location and identifying image and sends the signal to a controller. The controller directs the identifying image from the visual signal generator to identify the cut parts.

Abstract: The device is meant to move the solar protection means from a first position, among at least two predetermined positions, toward a second position to adapt to a variation in sunshine. It comprises a logic (6) which breaks down movement from the first to the second position into a minimum of two steps separated by a time interval (T1). A command (STOP) activated by a user during said interval (T1) activates the following step and reduces the interval by a fraction. The activation of an order after the interval (T1) and during the operation of the following step increases the interval (T1) by a fraction. The control device is in this way capable of adapting to the behavior of the user.

Abstract: The system including a device (2) for applying an adapter (11) to a blank (1) for transferring it into and mounting it in a trimming device (3) controlled in accordance with trimming information. The system includes a device for acquiring the characteristics of a lens to be made, a device (10) for supporting the blank (1) in the device (2) for applying the adapter, devices (14, 15) for emitting/receiving radiation for analyzing the blank a device (4, 16) for acquiring the characteristics of the blank by analyzing a signal delivered by the emitting/receiving devices (14, 15) and a device (4) for determining blank trimming information for controlling the trimming device (3).

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine is equipped with a computerized control and an infrared (IR) communications transceiver. A user equipped with an IR transceiver may download an electronic copy of an article, an electronic copy of the newspaper itself or a network address where these may be obtained. The IR link is also used to transfer digital cash or payment authorizations to the vending machine in exchange for the information.

Abstract: A model to predict the quality of a lubricant base stock for use in a plurality of products having a plurality of viscosities. The compositional model is based on a quantitative analysis of key compositional parameters and performance criteria for the plurality of products representing the plurality of viscosities. The compositional model predicts whether the composition of a new lubricant base stock is similar or dissimilar to known lubricant base stock compositions that have previously passed or failed performance tests. New base stock compositions, then, are evaluated in light of base stocks that have demonstrated acceptable performance in a plurality of products. The compositional model also predicts whether a combination of refinery streams can be blended for use in manufacturing a lubricant base stock.

Abstract: A process change control apparatus that performs a control function based on information from a manufacturing process is provided in a manufacturing process control system. The change control apparatus includes a recorder which records a change item for which a manufacturing process change control is to be performed, information required for a making judgment, a judgment method, an for extracting date from a manufacturing process and recording required information before and after a change point for each change item recorded in the, a statistical comparison judging device which performs a statistical comparison judgment of the information extracted by the information extractor before and after the change point for each change item, and an output device which outputs the result of the comparison judging device.

Abstract: A method and system for a coherence protocol for buffer memories which covers interventions in multiprocessor data processing units, wherein a bus coupler maps the coherence protocol of a system bus onto a local bus and, in the event that an intervention relates to a buffer line which is in the write register, transfer this buffer line from the write register via the local bus to the intervention register.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive multi-media interface system which incorporates text, audio, and video graphics animation and other tools to interface a user with a device in an outside environment, such as a robotic device, machining or other tool. The interface system includes a computer workstation to allow inputs from a user, such as a machine operator, computer memory, and an interface computer program operating on the computer. The computer has a graphical user interface for interfacing the operator with the workstation and to allow interactive operation and control of the machine tool. The operator can provide inputs to the interface system by various input devices such as a keyboard, cursor, mouse, a stylus pointing device or a touch sensitive screen. The interface software shares access to and exchanges data with the computer memory.

Abstract: A document dispensing system comprising a companion document data transfer device and a document dispenser having a document variables data input terminal, a document printer, a digital data input port coupled to the companion document data transfer device, a companion document data memory, an operational program memory, and a digital controller programmed to store new companion document data in the companion document data memory and to control the document printer in accordance with the document variables data, the new companion document data, and the operational program data. Replacement companion document data is downloaded from the data transfer device to the companion document data memory via the digital data input port.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated design and manufacturing system (100). The system (100) includes a specification step (102), a sequence of events step (104), a model step (106), a graphics step (108), a method sheets step (110), a configuration control step (112), and a parts list step (114). Through the use of libraries of standards, or defaults, as well as the use of an integrated product team, the system (100) establishes the product and process definition for a new part. A product-specific series of documentation is developed and includes the following: Specification, Model, Parts List, Graphics, Sequence of Events (SOE), Work Instructions (Method Sheets), and Configuration Control. Upon completion of all of these, the design of both the product and the process is compatible and complete and is released into production. Since production will be working directly from the Method Sheets, an end-item-requirements document is not necessary.

Abstract: A distributed control system for a semiconductor wafer processing machine includes a master control module and a plurality of application control modules. Each of the application control modules and the master control module are capable of autonomous, independent operation. The master control module regulates the operation of the application control modules, and the application control modules govern a number of sub-procedures carried out by the wafer processing machine. The sub-procedures may be governed by respective processing recipes that are downloaded from the master control module to the application control modules via a network link architecture.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a symmetric multiprocessor system includes a switched fabric (switch matrix) for data transfers that provides multiple concurrent buses that enable greatly increased bandwidth between processors and shared memory. A Transaction Controller, Transaction Bus, and Transaction Status Bus are used for serialization, centralized cache control, and highly pipelined address transfers. The shared Transaction Controller serializes transaction requests from Initiator devices that can include CPU/Cache modules and Peripheral Bus modules. The Transaction Bus of an illustrative embodiment is implemented using segmented buses, distributed muxes, point-to-point wiring, and supports transaction processing at a rate of one transaction per clock cycle.

Abstract: A systematic yield Ysi is obtained from a yield Yi, Wafer data through are sorted in numeric order of a monitored quantity X, the sorted data is classified into m groups each having approximately equal number of data, the central value is obtained for each of X and Ys in the respective wafer groups, a correlation coefficient between X and Ys is calculated for the central values, and if the coefficient is greater than a predetermined value, a regression equation of Ys with respect to X is determined. The processes of the steps 30 through 34 are performed for a number of monitored quantities. In a case where the coefficient of the correlation between X and Ys is more than a predetermined value, this X is selected and a multiple regression equation of Ys with respect to only the selected ones is determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for batch process control in which a Phase Logic Module operable in accordance with the state machine model of the batch server program is embedded within a programmable controller. More specifically, a phase executed by the batch server program in a data processing device is operable in accordance with a pre-defined state machine model (typically compliant with the ISA S88.01 standard). A Phase Logic Module (PLM) is implemented within a programmable controller in accordance with the same state machine model so as to mirror the state machine operation of the batch server process within the programmable controller. The PLM is pre-implemented and standardized. Specific state logic for performing desired control in accordance with the desired batch processing is defined by a control engineer using well known languages and tools and integrated with the standard PLM state machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine, where the hydraulic actuator moves in a linear or rotary manner to effect movement of an injection molding device, such as a mold clamp. A microcontroller is locally disposed adjacent to the actuator or the hydraulic fluid distribution manifold to cause the actuator to drive the device. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to the system control processor. This distributed control architecture increases system processing throughput, enhances reliability, and permits easier upgrades/repair. Preferably, the microcontroller is mounted on the manifold and controls all of the actuators supplied from that manifold.

Abstract: A control device controls to move a chucking mechanism part to a first stop height 451 at a first speed, then at a second speed lower than the first speed before the chucking mechanism part comes in touch with a part from the first stop height, and stop when the chucking mechanism part touches the part, thereby to hold the part. So, a shock to the part when the part is held is reduced in the constitution, and the apparatus becomes light-weight because of the elimination of a shock-absorbing mechanism, hence realizing high-speed mounting.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for temporarily including bootstrap debugging code for use with a client program. The invention improves a user's ability to debug the computer boot process by providing an efficient mechanism for interposing additional or replacement functionality between the client program and bootstrap services. A bootstrap service invocation made by the client program is intercepted and the computer performs the interposed functionality before providing the invoked service.